The newest restaurant from Vincenzo Betulia, award-winning chef and leader in the Southwest Florida culinary evolution, pays homage to turn of the century Parisian brasseries. Enjoy classic country and coastal French dishes amidst a bustling, vibrant atmosphere with a romantic street side setting. The French is a slice of the Belle Epoque in the heart of Naples.

Trained in traditional French cuisine and armed with a transformative affinity and appreciation for French cuisine while working with renowned Chef Paul Bartolotta at the James Beard Award-winning restaurant, Lake Park Bistro in Wisconsin, Chef Vincenzo has long sought the opportunity to display his French cooking techniques at what he now describes to be the “perfect” location.

In 2000, Chef Vincenzo moved to Naples, Florida from Milwaukee, Wisconsin with a dream of one day opening his own restaurant. One afternoon while walking down 5th Avenue South, he stopped in front of the 365 building. He had a disposable camera in one hand and the vision of the “perfect” location in the other. He imagined how “cool” it would be for guests to be eating outside, facing the street watching the cars and people go by. Fourteen years later, his daydream of opening a restaurant at that spot materialized and became a reality. Following in his mentor, Paul Bartolotta’s footsteps, Chef Vincenzo opened a French restaurant and executed a dream menu using the French culinary technique, simple ingredients and soulful passion that epitomize who he is.

The BEST Onion Soup in Naples! Rich broth, caramelized onions, a touch of sherry, delicious!

The wine list has more than 200 labels each tasted and hand selected by Chef Vincenzo and his bar team. The wines featured on our menu vary from value-driven hidden gems produced in small, family owned wineries to more popular Domaines and Châteaux.

The French also features some amazing craft cocktails, which shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone familiar with Osteria Tulia and Bar Tulia, home to some of the most amazing creative craft cocktails in Naples!

Enjoy Brasserie favorites in a stylish Parisian atmosphere with indoor and al fresco seating and a dramatic open kitchen.

A Sicilian native, Vincenzo Betulia grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin after his family emigrated there from Sicily when he was 2 years old. He began his career there at age 14 with an after-school job in Paul and Joe Bartolotta’s Ristorante Bartolotta. By age 15, he held a prized spot on the pizza line. He ultimately attained the chef position, became a Bartolotta protégé, and helped open two additional Bartolotta restaurants in Milwaukee, including the James Beard award-winning Lake Park Bistro serving classic French country fare.. While attending the Kendall Culinary School in Chicago, Chef Vincenzo further honed his skills at Bartolotta’s acclaimed Spiaggia. In Chicago, and later in Milwaukee, he worked with Michael White, a fellow Kendall alum and Bartolotta protégé, acclaimed for New York City restaurants including Marea, Ai Fiori and Osteria Morini. On a vacation in Naples, Florida, Chef Vincenzo fell in love with the area and secured a chef’s position at Campiello, a staple in the Naples dining scene. He worked his way up to head chef, a position he held for nine years, before opening his namesake restaurant, Osteria Tulia in January 2013, and Bar Tulia in December 2014.A culinary trendsetter and leader in Naples culinary evolution, Chef Vincenzo opened his third restaurant, The French, a traditional French brasserie, in January 2017.

Chef Vincenzo was the first chef in Naples to host a Friends of James Beard Benefit dinner in April 2015 and cooked at the renowned James Beard House in New York City in September 2016. Most recently, Osteria Tulia was recognized as the Best Restaurant in the Naples and Bar Tulia won Best Happy Hour, Best Craft Cockatil and Best Late Dining by the Naples Illustrated Readers’ Choice Dining Awards in 2017. Chef Vincenzo won a Best Chefs of America Award in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016, and was featured in a segment of Emeril’s Florida, which aired on the Food Network and Cooking Channel. USA Today’s 10Best recognized Osteria Tulia as the #1 Italian restaurant and #1 Lunch Spot in Naples, Florida. Chef Vincenzo also received a Naples Illustrated Readers’ Choice Dining Award 2015 for “Best New Chef.” Osteria Tulia was also recommended by Forbes Travel Guide, Peter Greenberg, The Fifty Best and Fodor’s; and awarded a Naples Illustrated Readers’ Choice Award 2015 for “Best Restaurant,” Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence 2015 and 2016, and an Open Table Winner’s Choice Award 2015 and 2016. In 2013, 2015 and 2016, Osteria Tulia received a Golden Spoon Award by Florida Trend magazine, which selects the top restaurants in the state of Florida.

The French Brasserie Rustique has been awarded the Fred Bollaci Enterprises Golden Palate Certificate of Excellence!

About Fred Bollaci

I'm CEO and President of Fred Bollaci Enterprises. I lost more than 100 pounds while living "La Dolce Vita" and I'm now known as "The Healthy Gourmet." Sample the good life with me through fitness, fine food, and good wine. Meet chefs who cater to a healthy gourmet lifestyle through my Golden Palate blog.

“Fred Bollaci’s “The Restaurant Diet” with it’s smart educated choices will revolutionize the world of dieting. As a chef and restaurant owner, I am ​excited to be part of this game changing book and way of life where fine-​dining restaurants are a
conscious dieter’s friend.”Gabriel Kreuther, Michelin Star Chef & Restaurateur